This is another embarrassment to the TSA. Mikey Hicks, an 8 year old boy, has been on the no-fly list ever since he was a baby, and continues to get patted down at airports today - just like how he has been at the age of 2.

I would comment on how ridiculous the TSA and this no-fly list is when I read something else - a man by the name of Mario Labbé was on the no-fly list, and was constantly questioned at airports. He then changed his name to François Mario Labbé, and the problem vanished. The question is, wouldn't terrorists figure this out? By merely changing your name you can get past this "1 million strong no-fly list" that the TSA is so proud about.

I love flying, and I love going to the US, but flying to the US seems to be a bigger and bigger pain everyday.

I have wanted to fly to Israel to visit friends there but have heard that the security measure are even worse than in the US. Others have said that going through Tel Aviv is hell on earth, with security people there very rude etc... don't want to be made to feel like a terrorist even though I have nothing to hide, I'd rather go somewhere else and have a relaxing time without all that.

Its a shame that parts of the world have come to this, ruins air travel for everyone.

It's hardly a joke. Isn't this kind of behaviour towards an 8 year old kid quite strange, and, well, illegal? People who do that sort of thing are generally locked away.

How can the authorities be so stupid that a little kid gets on the watch list. I mean really - it's outrageous that some crazy person can get on a plane and try to blow himself up (despite authorities being warned by parents) - and yet some little, innocent kid has to endure the ultimate of all embarrassment. Of course, when he gets older, the other school kids will surely give the kid hell over this.

The authorities should be ashamed of themselves. And to respond that no 8 year old exists on the watch list, but that they wouldn't discuss specifics - that's bureaucratic speak for "we stuffed this up big time and we've been caught".

I notice that the "myth" on the TSA web-page has vanished. Perhaps it was true after all...

And speaking of that page, what a rude, poorly worded site. It is sarcastic, rude and condescending. This is the language of an internet forum of 13 year olds, but even so, some of them write with better manners. How can anyone have confidence in an authority that allows 8 year old kids to be fondled under the name of security, and then makes a joke of its shortcomings on a sarcastic and rude webpage. It's a crime. And if I were in charge, that webpage would be gone - quick smart.

I've also heard first hand accounts about Tel Aviv. I'll avoid the place, and the country. Not because I don't like the people - just because I prefer travel to be easy - and not be treated like a criminal. If I get that treatment, it's the quickest way to ensure I never go back.

Quoting LHR380 (Reply 5):Umm, unless you are not a Brit, you don't need a Visa?

I remember reading that you have to fill in a new form now...instead of a visa waiver...or something...maybe it's easy to do but the security aspect now...although if I was going for a road trip and not just a 1 day stay then I might do it...
And Besides everyone notices the guys who are trying to light things aren't they...

To be honest, the quicker way is to have a ticket queue system for each flight, so that you go up when it's your turn...I.E you can just be duty free shopping rather than queing up in long lines...

Quoting FCA767 (Reply 6):I remember reading that you have to fill in a new form now...instead of a visa waiver...or something.

An ETA that takes about 2 minutes to fill on on the web and is free!
Not really a valid excuse for not going to the US, and on all my visits there, have not noticed anything different from UK security really. In fact am really looking frwd to my next trip. Security is something we need and have to put up with, and unless the agent does something really wrong or what have you around me, there is nothing for me to complain about.

Quoting Nighthawk (Reply 8):Although on another note, if he was on a no-fly list, why was he allowed to fly??

A lot of people on this "list" apparently just gets questioned a lot... it even says on the official TSA website that it would result in either a denial or delay of boarding or entering the United States etc, etc.

Once again just proving how useless the TSA really is. Just like the disposable razors that were removed from my CHECKED bag the other day. Not carry on. Not my backpack. My checked suitcase, which I would have no access to. I feel so much safer now that I was parted with 3 deadly disposable razors.

There are always going to be children with names similar to those on the "No-fly" list. A simple call to the proper persons would have cleared the child at the ticket counter and he could have passed through security just like everyone else.

This news story is complete BS and would have never been published had there not been the incident in DTW.

An 8 year old?? And the problem with security is that they didn't have scanners, not the fact that the people in charge are complete idiots!!
btw, if that kid would be my 8 year old, I don't think I would take a stranger touching him too nicely.

Quoting TheCommodore (Reply 15):That is just ridiculous, why shouldn't an 8 year old be searched like anyone else. Why would it come down to being a pedophile who pats down your boy, that's just utter rubbish.

Another hysterical parent in our midst.

it looks like the TSA is hysterical.
Probably the guy is not a pedophile (he better not be!), but honestly .. an 8 year old???? If they really consider the kid to be a terrorist (yeah right!) just asking a few questions would do the job. He's 8, he wouldn't stand the pressure if he in fact was planning on doing something illegal on a plane.

As far as I'm concerned, I if I have to be searched and made to feel like a criminal every time I travel then every passenger man woman child should be. I'm 42 years old and I don't want to blow myself up or anyone else for that matter, so search the lot of us, even babies. I don't care how old or young they might be, even flight attendants the whole damn lot of us, incl cargo freight.

The moment you start excluding some people/groups etc then things will happen, mark my words.

Quoting TheCommodore (Reply 17):As far as I'm concerned, I if I have to be searched and made to feel like a criminal every time I travel then every passenger man woman child should be.

Do you know how many resources are being wasted because TSA agents are searching people who pose no threat at all? It cannot be 100% secure, but the intelligence exists so that we can narrow down the list of "suspects". Look at the incident at DTW.

Quoting Elite (Reply 18):Do you know how many resources are being wasted because TSA agents are searching people who pose no threat at all? It cannot be 100% secure, but the intelligence exists so that we can narrow down the list of "suspects". Look at the incident at DTW.

How many resources will be wasted if something BIG happens somewhere ?

We still have to try and leave no stone unturned regardless of the cost or inconvenience or time/money wasted .

As some would say, what cost of a human life ??

I agree that we have to get smarter about things, eg where the TSA gets it info from, but at the end on the day there is only so much anyone can do.

Quoting EZEIZA (Reply 20):I see your point, but let's not forget this poor kid has been black listed since he was two!?! How much damage can a two year old deliberatley make? It's ridiculous to say the least.

The only person, er character, I can think of 2 years old or younger who would be capable of such a thing would be Stewie Griffin -- but he's fictional and animated at that!!

The TSA -- striving to reach new depths...

Do not bring stranger girt into your room. The stranger girt is dangerous, it will hurt your life.

Quoting FCA767 (Reply 6):I remember reading that you have to fill in a new form now...instead of a visa waiver...or something...maybe it's easy to do but the security aspect now...although if I was going for a road trip and not just a 1 day stay then I might do it...
And Besides everyone notices the guys who are trying to light things aren't they

It seems you have heard a fairy tale. I am now in LA for five days (NAMM show). As a Swiss citizen I don't need a visa. I had to fill in a form in the Internet and then the old green form in the aircraft. The immigration at LAX in the terminal where SWISS arrives was a breeze. I stood in line only five minutes, then met a friendly (!) immigration officer. 10 minutes later I had my suitcase and was out of the airport immediately.

Quoting N1120A (Reply 23):brought to light the way the TSA has tried to gloss over this. No response from TSA yet.

Hardly surprising - that seems to be their style, rude, arrogant, aggressive and untruthful. LIke the item on their website about the 8 year old on the no-fly list. It disappeared very quickly when they were caught out.

The fact that the kid is still on that list (at last knowledge) after so many years is a crime.

A more hilariously old-fashioned form I've never seen. The bit about "moral turpitude" made me roll my eyes. Such an antique term that even some of my long term public service colleagues who are policy planning long-termers had to think for a while to remember what it was about.

The form even looks like it was printed 100 years ago.

25 Maverick623
: Tip of the iceburg. I've beaten around the bush with this, but suffice it to say that not only are many of the TSA's rules illegal (not to mention ju